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Traffic information

Heavitree and Whipton Active Streets Trial


The Heavitree and Whipton area contains several schools, green spaces, shops and medical facilities. These amenities generate significant volumes of short-distance trips, which would be feasible to walk or cycle for many residents. The E3 strategic cycle route runs east-west across the area and provides onward connections to Newtown and Exeter City Centre, and the E12 cycle route runs north-south and provides links to Wonford and Marsh Barton.

It also has several bus services, which connect the area to Exeter city centre, Wonford, Digby and the Quay, and Polsloe Bridge railway station provides links to Exmouth, Topsham, Marsh Barton and Newton Abbot, as well as connections to mainline services from Exeter St Davids Station. The area is therefore well connected for sustainable travel journeys.

There are several north-south routes between Pinhoe Road (B3212) and Heavitree Road (B3183) which are likely to be used by through traffic as well as residential traffic, increasing volumes of traffic passing through the area and impacting upon the amenity of the local area. On many residential streets within the area, traffic volumes exceed 2000 vehicles per day. According to the Department for Transport’s Cycle Infrastructure Design guidance, people are less likely to choose to cycle when traffic volumes are over 2000 vehicles a day.

Previous consultations (Phase 1 and 2)

In November and December 2020, the Heavitree and Whipton Phase 1 consultation was held, which invited members of the public to identify which aspects of their local streets they perceived most positively, and which were perceived most negatively. Phase 1 responses indicated that public transport infrastructure was generally perceived positively, but the impacts of traffic and the lack of priority for pedestrians and cyclists were primary concerns. Issues were highlighted particularly frequently on Ladysmith Road, Hamlin Lane, Sweetbrier Lane and Thornpark Rise. Responses are summarised in the consultation feedback leaflet.

Map showing top 5 negatively perceived issues. Several clusters where issues were most frequently reported, approximately corresponding to: Ladysmith Road, Hamlin Lane, Sweetbrier Lane and Thornpark Rise.

The above map showed the top 5 negatively perceived issues within the Heavitree and Whipton area. Several clusters where issues were most frequently reported, approximately corresponding to Ladysmith Road, Hamlin Lane, Sweetbrier Lane and Thornpark Rise.

Following the Phase 1 consultation, Phase 2 consultation was held in September and October 2021, which invited feedback on a range of measures designed to address the issues highlighted in Phase 1. 4 proposals were put forward of physical modal filters and bus gate.

  • Option 1

    Option 1 for reducing traffic proposed closing some north-south routes to through traffic.

     

    Modal Filter Type of Modal Filter Location
    1 Existing (Permanent) Physical Filter Homefield Rd, between junctions with Bonnington Grove and Bicton Place
    2 Existing (Temporary) Physical Filter Chard Rd, between junctions with Nicholas Rd and Whipton Lane
    3 Proposed Bus Gate Ladysmith Rd, immediately south of Park Road roundabout
    4 Proposed Physical Filter St Marks Ave, immediately east of Park Road roundabout
    5 Proposed Bus Gate Hamlin Lane, between junctions with Chard Rd and Hanover Rd
  • Option 2

    Option 2 for reducing traffic also proposed closing some north-south routes to through traffic.

    Modal Filter Type of Modal Filter Location
    1 Existing (Permanent) Physical Filter Homefield Rd, between junctions with Bonnington Grove and Bicton Place
    2 Existing (Temporary) Physical Filter Chard Rd, between junctions with Nicholas Rd and Whipton Lane
    3 Proposed Bus Gate Ladysmith Rd, immediately south of Park Road roundabout
    4 Proposed Physical Filter St Marks Ave, immediately east of Park Road roundabout
    5 Proposed Physical Filter Hamlin Lane, between junctions with Wykes Rd and Hamlin Gardens
    6 Proposed Physical Filter Whipton Lane, between junctions with Chard Rd and Lonsdale Rd
    7 Proposed Bus Gate Whipton Lane, between junctions with Georges Close and Whiteway Drive

     

  • Option 3

    Option 3 for reducing traffic proposed closing some east-west routes to through traffic.

    Modal Filter Type of Modal Filter Location
    1 Existing (Permanent) Physical Filter Homefield Rd, between junctions with Bonnington Grove and Bicton Place
    2 Existing (Temporary) Physical Filter Chard Rd, between junctions with Nicholas Rd and Whipton Lane
    3 Proposed Bus Gate Hanover Rd, between junctions with Saxon Rd and Hamlin Lane
    4 Proposed Bus Gate Hamlin Lane, between junctions with Hanover Rd and Roseland Crescent
    5 Proposed Bus Gate Sweetbrier Lane, between junctions with Madison Ave and Whiteway Drive
    6 Proposed Bus Gate Thornpark Rise, immediately east of Vaughan Rd roundabout

     

  • Option 4

    Option 4 for reducing traffic proposed closing all routes to through traffic.

     

    Modal Filter

    Type of Modal Filter Location
    1 Existing (Permanent) Physical Filter Homefield Rd, between junctions with Bonnington Grove and Bicton Place
    2 Existing (Temporary) Physical Filter Chard Rd, between junctions with Nicholas Rd and Whipton Lane
    3 Proposed Bus Gate Ladysmith Rd, immediately south of Park Rd roundabout
    4 Proposed Physical Filter St Marks Ave, immediately east of Park Rd roundabout
    5 Proposed Bus Gate Hamlin Lane, between junctions with Chard Rd and Hanover Rd
    6 Proposed Physical Filter Whipton Lane, between junctions with Chard Rd and Sweetbrier Lane
    7 Proposed Bus Gate Whipton Lane, between junctions with Georges Close and Whiteway Drive
    8 Proposed Physical Filter Sweetbrier Lane, between junctions with Whipton Lane and Vaughan Rd
    9 Proposed Physical Filter Vaughan Rd, between junctions with Vaughan Rise and Sweetbrier Lane
    10 Proposed Bus Gate Thornpark Rise, immediately east of Vaughan Rd roundabout

     

     

In addition, three schemes were consulted upon within the Whipton Lane/Sweetbrier Lane area, each aiming to reduce traffic speeds and/or improve pedestrian crossing facilities:

  • On Sweetbrier Lane, it was proposed that the existing chicanes be widened, along with the removal of the road centre line to make the road seem narrower and thus reduce traffic speeds.
  • At the Sweetbrier Lane/Whipton Lane roundabout, it was proposed that traffic humps incorporating raised crossings be installed on the eastern and western arms.
  • At the Whipton Lane/Georges Close junction, it was proposed that a priority crossing be installed across Georges Close, along with a traffic hump and raised crossing across Whipton Lane.

Respondents were also invited to indicate preferred locations for additional electric vehicle charging facilities.

Responses to the Phase 2 consultation indicated that the proposals for traffic humps and pedestrian crossings were broadly supported, with the Sweetbrier Lane/Whipton Lane roundabout scheme gaining Highway and Traffic Order Committee (HATOC) approval in July 2022 and subsequently being constructed in November 2022.

A small majority of everyone that responded supported the introduction of traffic filters to reduce traffic. Of the options offered, option 4 was the most supported. Whilst a significant majority of respondents disagreed with options 1, 2 and 3 for reducing traffic within Heavitree and Whipton, opinion regarding Option 4 was more evenly split.

For further details of responses to the Phase 2 consultation, please see the consultation feedback leaflet.

Overview of Active Streets Trial

In June 2023, Exeter’s HATOC approved the implementation of a trial modal filter package for the Heavitree and Whipton area, under Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders.

The trial included the installation of physical traffic filters, using planters and bollards, and bus gates, which used signage to prohibit vehicular traffic except for buses, emergency vehicles, and other exempt classes of vehicles.

The trial involved traffic filters at four key locations: Ladysmith Road/St. Mark’s Avenue, Hamlin Lane, Whipton Lane and Vaughan Road.

A bus gate was put in place at the Ladysmith Road/Park Road junction, with a gap leading onto Commins Road and Park Road usable by buses, cycles and taxis/private hire vehicles. A traffic filter across St. Mark’s Avenue prevented vehicles from driving through to Pinhoe Road.

A traffic filter was also installed on Hamlin Lane between Hamlin Gardens and Wykes Road; creating quieter streets in the vicinity of the Hamlin Lane Playing Fields and Higher Cemetery.

A bus gate was also installed on Whipton Lane between the Whiteway Drive and George’s Close junction, alongside a traffic filter installed on Vaughan Road near the Vaughan Rise junction.

Statutory consultation

The active streets trial was implemented using Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs). These allow an experimental traffic scheme to be in place for up to 18 months during which time their impact can be monitored and assessed. After 18 months, ETROs must either be removed or made permanent. It is a requirement of the legislation that statutory consultation is undertaken in the first 6 months of the experiment period, and for six months after any modification is made to the ETROs.

Responses to the consultation could be submitted through a range of channels. The primary means of response was through an online survey, which could be accessed from a dedicated scheme website. Printed copies of this form were available on request, with members of the public able to request a copy be posted to them by email or phone. Printed copies of the online survey were also available at two public engagement events held during the early stages of the trial.

Further to the online survey, responses could also be submitted by email, via a dedicated Exeter Streets mailbox, and by letter.

Feedback received

A total of 8,952 responses to the statutory consultation were received, of which:

  • 8,214 were received through the online consultation form linked from the dedicated Active Streets webpage.
  • 399 were received through paper consultation forms.
  • 337 were received through emails and letters.
  • 2 were received through an online form via the legal webpages.

A significant majority of consultation form responses indicated opposition to each of the scheme components. Overall, 82% of responses were opposed to the various scheme elements, with 18% in support. Of the scheme elements, the Ladysmith Road/Park Road bus gate (and waiting restrictions) and St Marks Avenue traffic filter was the most supported, whilst the Vaughan Road traffic filter was the least supported.

A further Equality Impact Assessment was completed in May 2024 at the close of the consultation period which has highlighted a potentially disproportionate negative impact of the trial on those with protected characteristics, in particular disability and age (both young and older members of the community).

Suspension of trial

Following the completion of the statutory consultation period, the results showed a significant level of opposition to the trial. Monitoring data compared to pre-trial statistics showed significant increases in traffic volumes on the boundary roads and increases in delays experienced by buses on boundary roads.

There were some positives to consider such as an increase in levels of walking and cycling and reduced traffic volumes within the trial area.

However, given the adverse impacts reported by people with certain protected characteristics, including disabled people and older people, and in consideration of the Equality Act 2010 Public Sector Equality Duty, a recommendation to suspend the trial was made. This was approved by councillors at the 3 June 2024 Exeter HATOC meeting, with the traffic filters and bus gates subsequently being removed in June and July 2024.

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